Nthanda Times Reporter

The organization’s executive officer, Gerald Njanji said this during a tree planting exercise at Mtiwa village in Chiosya Extension Planning Area (EPA) in the area of Traditional Authority Simphasi in the district on Saturday.

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“We would like every rural member to participate in this tree planting exercise to pass the culture of tree planting to them, they should know how to take care of the trees. Trees have long-term economic benefits where people can get timber from them or fruits and earn money. So we are encouraging afforestation so that the communities get economic benefits from the same in the long term,” Njanji said.

Mchinji District Forestry Assistant, Joseph Mazuwa said the initiative is important as it will help restore degraded land due to wanton tree cutting and help improve the livelihoods of the rural masses.

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“This is a very commendable job by YASD as the government alone cannot manage to carry out all these tree planting exercises.  So if NGOs are supporting the government in the afforestation efforts we will develop Malawi together,” he said

Group village headman Mtiwa said trees are very important as they control harsh winds and also provide them with firewood as well as food.

The traditional leader, therefore, commended YASD for the effort and asked for support to cover bare land in his area.

“Currently we have a lot of bare land due to reckless deforestation, we need more of these initiatives to fight deforestation even further,” he said.

YASD is targeting three communities two of which are Msitu and Mtenthera in the area of TA Simphasi.

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The organization intends to plant 1,000 trees by the end of the 2002/2023 planting season and so far it has planted 190 tree seedlings in Msitu and Mtenthera youth clubs’ areas.

YASD is implementing the ‘Afforestation for Sustainable Community Development’ (ASCOD) project targeting youth clubs and secondary schools in conjunction with Permaculture Paradise Institute (PPI) in Mchinji district.

Dedza District Council on Saturday launched the 2022/23 tree planting season at Chipalukwa Primary School ground in the area of traditional authority Kasumbu with a pledge to plant one million and five hundred thousand trees.

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During the event, Dedza District Council Chairperson Francis Chimpikizo challenged people to take advantage of the exercise to restore forest cover and mitigate the impact of climate change in the district.

He said many people are affected by natural disasters because there are no trees to protect their houses and crops from harsh weather that comes with heavy rains.

He added that deforestation has also contributed to soil erosion and land degradation which has resulted in low crop production and hunger among farming families in the district.

“This is why it is important for everyone to take part in this year’s tree planting season by planting more trees for them to replenish the forest cover we once had so that we benefit in the future,” Chimpikizo said.

On his part, Dedza District Commissioner, Thomas Chigwenembe, appealed to various organizations to assist the council with seedlings and other logistical arrangements to ensure that this year’s target is achieved.

Dedza District Forestry Officer, Violet Msukwa expressed optimism that the council will meet the target.

She disclosed that during the last planting season, the council managed to plant 1.6 million trees when it planned to plant 1.2 million.

“This time around we are also focusing on trees that are growing naturally and working with traditional leaders to enforce by-laws that will guarantee protection from livestock, fires, and other dangers to ensure a high survival rate,” she said.

T/A Kasumbu said during the rainy season a lot of houses in her area are damaged by strong winds as trees that once surrounded them. have been cut down for charcoal burning, timber, and other uses.

“I will work with my fellow local leaders to sensitize communities on the importance of having trees and encourage them to plant more so that we can be protected,” she said.

During the launch, the council planted 300 trees from the 10,000 donated by Standard bank of Malawi.